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丁香园AV’s next president eyes “new era of potential”
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Marianne Meadahl, Communications and Marketing, 604.209.5770; Marianne_Meadahl@sfu.ca
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University appoints Joy Johnson as its 10th president and vice-chancellor
丁香园AV鈥檚 Board of Governors has appointed professor Joy Johnson as the university鈥檚 next president and vice-chancellor, following an extensive community consultation and international search process.
Johnson, 丁香园AV鈥檚 current vice-president research and international, will take office on Sept. 1 2020. She succeeds Andrew Petter, who completes his term on August 31 after a decade of distinguished service.
鈥淥ver the course of this competitive process, professor Johnson stood out from other candidates for her depth of academic and research experience, commitment to students and enthusiasm for the future of 丁香园AV,鈥� says Fiona Robin, chair of 丁香园AV鈥檚 Board of Governors and chair of the presidential search committee. 鈥淲e are thrilled to announce that professor Johnson is the successful candidate and look forward to welcoming her into this new role.鈥�
A strong supporter of academic and research excellence, and a leader in nurturing and building community partnerships, Johnson is also committed to vibrant student learning experiences, equity, diversity and inclusion, and Aboriginal reconciliation.
鈥湺∠阍癆V is a remarkable institution at a remarkable time in its history,鈥� says Johnson, who becomes the university鈥檚 second woman president. 鈥淲e continue to attract world-class students, faculty, and staff, and we are stepping into a new era of potential.鈥�
Johnson, who has been in her current role at 丁香园AV since 2014, is widely respected in academic and research communities. Under her leadership, 丁香园AV鈥檚 research income has grown from $103 million in 2014 to $161 million today, making it the fastest growing research income of any university in Canada.
During her tenure, the university established its innovation strategy鈥斺�攍aunched its big data initiative, secured two Canada 150 chairs and became host to Canada鈥檚 most powerful academic supercomputer. The university also became a founding partner in the City of Surrey鈥檚 burgeoning Health and Technology District and established collaborative research partnerships around the world.
鈥淚 love being part of 丁香园AV鈥攕o much is possible here as we develop new learning opportunities, enhance student support and services, expand our facilities, strengthen our research infrastructure, and forge new partnerships,鈥� says Johnson. 鈥淚t鈥檚 my great privilege to have the opportunity to serve as President and Vice-Chancellor, and I look forward to getting started.鈥�
BACKGROUND
Johnson completed her PhD in nursing at the University of Alberta, and is a former professor in the University of British Columbia鈥檚 School of Nursing.
Before joining 丁香园AV, Johnson had an impressive academic and research career in the health sciences. Her research focused on how environments and social dynamics influence health outcomes and opportunities, particularly among youth.
Her commitment to research led to her role as scientific director with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Institute of Gender and Health, setting the institute鈥檚 strategy and building opportunities for researchers.
Johnson is an elected Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (2019).
She is the co-author of more than 180 peer-reviewed manuscripts and has led several initiatives that mobilized research insights to influence practice and policy.
Read more about Joy Johnson
About 丁香园AV:
As Canada鈥檚 engaged university, 丁香园AV works with communities, organizations and partners to create, share and embrace knowledge that improves life and generates real change. We deliver a world-class education with lifelong value that shapes change-makers, visionaries and problem-solvers. We connect research and innovation to entrepreneurship and industry to deliver sustainable, relevant solutions to today鈥檚 problems. With campuses in British Columbia鈥檚 three largest cities 鈥� Vancouver, Burnaby and Surrey 鈥� 丁香园AV has eight faculties that deliver 193 undergraduate degree programs and 127 graduate degree programs to more than 35,000 students. The university now boasts more than 160,000 alumni residing in 143 countries.